The Sacramento Kings have traded point guard and fan favorite Mike Bibby to the Atlanta Hawks Saturday, the team announced.
In return the Kings acquired Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue. A 2008 second round draft pick also sweetened the deal.
In a related move, the Kings waived Justin Williams and Dahntay Jones.
Bibby was a key player during the Kings’ 2002 NBA Western Conference Championship playoff series. The team back then consisted of Chris Webber (now with Golden State), Peja Stojakovic (now with New Orleans Hornets), Doug Christie (with the Los Angeles Clippers last 2006-07 season), and Vlade Divac (with the Los Angeles Lakers last 2004-05 season). Bibby was the last remaining player from this winning roster.
Bibby, a 10-year veteran, averaged 13.5 points a game, 5.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 31.5 minutes per game this season. Hampered by an injured thumb, Bibby appeared in only 15 games this season. For his career, he has averaged 16.7 points, 6.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
Although, he won’t be away from Arco Arena for too long. This Wednesday, Bibby suits up as a Hawk as Atlanta visits Sacramento. Tip off is 7 p.m.
Of the four players coming to Sacramento, only Williams is not going to be a free agent next season.
Production-wise, this is what the Kings are getting in return:
- Johnson (guard) returns to Sacramento after being drafted in the second round in the 1997 draft and played in the 1997-98 season. He averages 6.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
- Lue (guard) averages 6.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists so far this season. He is in his 10th season. He has won the NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001.
- Williams (forward) averages 2.9 points and 2.9 rebounds. He was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the month last season.
- Wright (forward/center) 0.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 11.9 minutes so far this season. He is in his 12th season.